Church AccessibilitySeminar

“For my house shall be called a house

of prayer for all people”- Isaiah 56:6

Who needs accessibility?

You can’t always tell whensomeone has a disability.Disabilities come in many forms: Visible Non-visible Permanent Non-permanent

What is a disability?

People can have one or a combination ofthe following: physical disabilities vision loss deafness or being hard of hearing intellectual or developmental disabilities learning disabilities mental health disabilities other disabilities

Churches

Churches are at the centre of

communal life, ritual observance,

and spiritual practice

Churches and Disability

Studies and anecdotal evidence onpeople with disabilities support the: importance of personal faith and

spirituality benefits of communal support from faith

based communitiesChurches are and can be animportant resource for people withdisabilities

Barriers to Accessibility

Barriers are: obstacles that prevent people with disabilities from fully participating in

all aspects of society visible — physical features of a

building invisible — attitudes, policies

Barriers in Churches

1. Architectural and physical features of buildings or spaces that cause problems for people with disabilities.

In the Sanctuary An inaccessible prayer platform Lack of seating options for church attendees in

wheelchairs Poor lighting In General Inaccessible restrooms Narrow doorways Inaccessible floors/rooms No elevator

Barriers in Churches

2. Information or communication that prevents people from easily understanding information.

Intellectually challenging sermons/community lectures

Lack of plain language newsletters/registration forms/publications

Newsletters/registration forms/publications only available in one format Small-print Bibles and song books

Barriers in Churches

3. Attitudes can discriminate against people with disabilities.

Congregational expectations related to appropriate church behaviour

Social stigma of people with disabilities Uneducated perspectives on people with

disabilities Fear of people with disabilities Cosmetic Inclusion - A tendency for the term

inclusion to be used without a sincere attitude necessary to create a truly inclusive environment.

Barriers in Churches

4. Technology that is incompatible with assistive devices.

Churches websites that are incompatible with assistive software

Unavailable or broken assistive devices

Ushers and greeters lacking training on the use of devices offered by the church

Barriers in Church

5. Systemic policies, practices or procedures that discriminate against people with disabilities

The presence of service animals in the church The integration of non-Christian support persons

into public ritual observance Lack of leadership opportunities for congregants

with disabilities Segregated programming for people with

disabilities Hosting of programs in inaccessible rooms

Legislation

On June 13, 2005 the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) was passed

Its goal is to develop mandatory accessibility standards to ensure that Ontario is accessible to people with disabilities by 2025

AODA

The act focuses on five key areas ofaccessibility:1. Customer Service2. Information and Communications3. Built Environment4. Employment5. Transportation

How Accessibility Standards Become Law

Standards Development Committees (SDCs) draft proposed accessibility standards for the five key areas

Proposed accessibility standards put forward for public review

Feedback incorporated Final proposed accessibility standards submitted

to Minister of Community and Social Services (MCSS)

Within 90 days all, part, or revisions of proposed accessibility standards enacted as legislation

Accessibility Standards for Customer Service

First standard to become regulation came into force January 1, 2008

Public Sector compliance by January 1, 2010

Private Sector compliance by January 1, 2012

Applies to all organizations and businesses with one or more employees

Churches will have to comply by 2012

Requirements

1. Establish policies, practices and procedures on providing programs and services to people with disabilities.

2. Use reasonable efforts to ensure that your policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the core principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity.

Requirements continued….

3. Set a policy on allowing people to use their own personal assistive devices to access your programs and services.

4. Communicate with a person with a disability in a manner that takes into account his or her disability.

Requirements continued…

5. Allow people with disabilities to be accompanied by their guide dog or service animal in those areas of the premises you own or operate that are open to the public, unless the animal is excluded. If a service animal is excluded, use other measures to provide services to the person with a disability.

6. Permit people with disabilities who use a support person to bring that person with them while

accessing programs or services that are open to the public or third parties.

Requirements continued…

7. Where program fees are charged, provide notice ahead of time on what admission, if any, would be charged for a support person of a person with a disability.

8. Provide notice when facilities or services that people with disabilities rely on to access your programs or services are temporarily disrupted.

Requirements continued…

9. Train staff, volunteers, contractors and any other people who interact with the public or other third parties on your behalf on a number of topics as outlined in the customer service standard.

10. Train staff, volunteers, contractors and any other people who are involved in developing your policies, practices and procedures on the provision of programs and services on a number of topics as outlined in the customer service standard.

Requirements continued…

11. Establish a process for people to provide feedback on how you provide programs or services to people with disabilities and how you will respond to any feedback and take action on any complaints. Make the information about your feedback process readily available to the public.

Churches Guide to theCustomer Service Standard

The guide is an important reference document forchurch administrators and includes:

1. Suggestions on how church can meet each of the eleven specific requirements under the legislation

2. Templates for: Creating accessibility policies Receiving member feedback on accessibility Providing notice of disruption of service

Please review this important document atyour convenience

Author

The information contained within is based on the Accessibility Standards for Customer Services (Ontario Regulation 429/07) and was adapted and formulated by Christian Horizons for use in churches.